Process of treating leather.



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PROCESS OF- TREA TING LEATHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,056, dated March13, 1900. Application filed August 30, 1899. Serial No. 728,990, (Nospecimens.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD BUCK ARTHUR, shopman, a subject of the Queenof Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 4:5 Nicholson street,Ballarat, in the county of Grenville, Colony of Victoria, have inventeda certain new and useful Process for Treating Leather and SimilarSubstances, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to render leather and similar substancesunimpaired by contact with or immersion in water which is affected byminerals. In the past leather and like substances have suffered seriousinjury under such circumstances; but with my process such materials,whether used for boots, shoes, harness, pumps, or any otherpurposes, areafter treatment unaffected by the presence of water impregnated as abovedescribed. -My invention consists in first tanning the hide or skin orother substance in any ordinary way by-chrome or bark or other tanningagencies and then suspending it in order that it maylose some of itsmoisture, after which, if necessary, a split or shaving is removed,allowed to almost dry out. It in a rotating chamber or drum of anydesired shape to absorb the first solution, which is composed asfollows: Make a mixture of five (5) pounds of alum, five (5) pounds ofchalk, three (3) pounds of best glue, and about ten (10) gallons ofwater. The cham her is then set in motion and rotated for about four (4)hours or untilthe solution has thoroughly penetrated the substance,which is then removed and allowed to drain. After draining it is hung upto almost dry out, when it is ready to receive the second solution,composed as follows: Dissolve ten (10) pounds of pure asphaltum. and one(1) pound of indiarubber in about three (3) gallons of turpenor othersolvent. Then add twelve (12) pounds of paraflin-wax and twelve (12)pounds of beeswax and four (4) pounds of sugar of lead dissolved in oil.Reduce to the consistency required with boiled linseed-oil,paraffin-oil, or other oil. Have the whole thoroughly commingled byheating and agitation.

Previous to receiving the second solution is then placed the chamber bysteam, hot air, or other means is heated to a temperature of about oneh.un-'

dred and thirty (130) degrees Fahrenheit,-

provision being made, if steam is used,-to drain out the accumulatedwater. After this the solution, which must also be heated to about thesame temperature, is placed with the leather or other substance in thechamber, which is then set in motion and run for about four (4) hours orfor such shorter or longer period as will enable the'solution tothoroughly permeate the leather. This is easily determined by thepractical tanner handling the leather. It is then removed from thechamber and, being set out iwthe usual way,- is hung up to dry, afterwhich it is finished by the usual trade methods employed in fin ishingordinary leather.

The quantities and times given above are approximate, since diiferentdescriptions of material require diiferent proportions of the aboveingredients, which vary with the class of the leather and the purposesfor which it is intended.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is'

An improved process for treating leather and similar substancesconsisting of tanning the leather in the ordinary way and then placingit in a rotating chamber containing a solution of alum, chalk, glue, andwater in the approximate proportions specified ,then draining and almostdrying out, then placing it in a rotating chamber heated to a suitabletemperature withasolution also heated as before described consisting ofasphaltum, india-rubber dissolved in turpentine or other solvent towhich is added paraffin-wax, beeswax and sugar of lead dissolved in oiland of the approximate proportions specified, then finishin g in theordinary way all as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

RICHARD BUCK ARTHUR. Witnesses:

WALTER J OSEPH NANSGAWEN, THOMAS HENRY JOHNSON.

